Swimming pools often take the spotlight in what makes a villa shine – which, fair point – but we take a look at another place where there is less splashing and more relaxing involved: the bathtub. In no particular order, here are our favourite bathtubs in Samui.
#1 Baan Hinyai
What: 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Where: Lamai
What’s special: This beachfront villa faces Lamai Beach and each bedroom has ensuite bathrooms with bathtubs. Enjoy ocean views from the 20m outdoor infinity pool and direct beach access. Baan Hinyai is built into the huge rocks on Lamai Beach, so there are areas in the villa where natural rock formations become part of the interior design.
#2 Baan Hinta
What: 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms
Where: Lamai
What’s special: Like its neighbour Baan Hinyai, Baan Hinta is built into the rocks by Lamai Beach, and has an infinity swimming pool facing the ocean. Each of the bedrooms have their own bathrooms, and the gorgeous free-standing bathtubs add character to them.
#3 Villa Kohia
What: 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Where: Chaweng
What’s special: You’ve never really had an open-air bathtub until you’ve enjoyed the one at Villa Kohia, a hillside property with large airy rooms that provide guests with stunning ocean views.
#4 Baan Maliwan
What: 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Where: Bophut
What’s special: Say hello to one of the best bathtub windows in Samui. This ocean-view villa gives you direct access to the beach, an infinity pool, and more than enough space for a small group to enjoy a peaceful vacation.
#5 Baan Chang
What: 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Where: Lipa Noi
What’s special: The beachfront location will have you planning seaside BBQ parties and al fresco breakfasts, in between pool and Jacuzzi time. And at the end of the day, you’ll ache for a nice soak in the bathtub.
#6 The View
What: 5 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms
Where: Taling Ngam
What’s special: Aside from the fact that the bedroom to bathroom ratio at this ocean-view villa is pretty amazing, you should know that there is a particular outdoor bathtub that everyone will be fighting over, so call dibs early. Direct beach access and bunk beds for children sweeten the deal.
#7 Baan Bua Sawan
What: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
Where: Bophut
What’s special: The view makes this bathtub all the more enticing, as if you wouldn’t already be drawn by the private pool, beach sala, al fresco dining area, and direct access to the beach below.
#8 Baan Kilee
What: 8 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms
Where: Lipa Noi
What’s special: A big family can stretch out at this beachfront villa, which has an indoor cinema room and an outdoor cinema by the infinity pool. One of the bathrooms has a semi-open-air concept with a chic stone bathtub.
#9 Baan Fan Noi
What: 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
Where: Chaweng
What’s special: A wraparound balcony on the outermost pavilion of this villa gives you sprawling views of the Samui coast, while a pool and the terrace around it is great for a BBQ party. And of course there’s that semi-outdoor bathroom and bathtub you won’t be able to stop raving about.
#10 The Emerald Beach Villa 4
What: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Where: Bang Por
What’s special: A family of four would do perfectly at this cosy beachfront villa, which has a Jacuzzi bathtub in the master bedroom. The pool and the lawn surrounding it faces the beach, which you can visit any time you want.
Bonus: The shower at Baan Kinaree
What: 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Where: Bophut
What’s special: This is no bathtub, but it deserves a shout-out because everyone needs inspiration for beautiful open-air rain showers. Baan Kinaree does have bathtubs too, but you will also love the infinity pool that overlooks the hilly Bophut neighbourhood.
